Detection of high-risk atherosclerotic plaques with ultrasound molecular imaging of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor on activated platelets.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Ultrasound molecular imaging (UMI) of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor on activated platelets offers a unique means of identifying high-risk atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that contrast-enhanced ultrasound with microbubbles (MBs) targeted to GP IIb/IIIa could be used to detect and quantify activated platelets on the surface of advanced plaques.

Methods and results

A mouse model of advanced atherosclerosis was generated by maintaining apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice on a hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD). The three other experimental groups consisted of ApoE(-/-) and wild-type (C57BL/6) mice fed a normal chow diet and C57BL/6 mice on an HCD diet. Plaque formation was confirmed by histological and immunohistochemical methods using light, fluorescence,

SUBMITTER: Guo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4329504 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature